Work on £5.8m Grey To Green Phase 2 begins

Phase 2 of the Grey To Green’ scheme gets under way in Sheffield’s historic Catlegate.

The scheme will also link Castlegate to the under-used Victoria Quays area and transform the almost redundant former inner ring road with sustainable drainage, floral meadows, segregated cycle lanes and public art. It will also significantly improve the approach to the Castle House Kollider/Kommune on Snig Hill.

Contractor North Midland Construction began work after £5.8m funding was confirmed from the European Regional Development Fund. £2.8m of which is Sheffield City Region Local Growth Funding, as well as contributions from Sheffield City Council and Canal and Rivers Trust.

Fifty-seven new trees will be planted as part of the scheme.

Grey to Green Phase has already won a wheelbarrow of awards for its green environment and world-leading sustainable drainage in the West Bar area. The works of the second phase that start today will extend to the top of Snig Hill in the new phase of works and they are set to be completed by March 2020.

Cabinet member Mazher Iqbal said:

“The first phase of Grey To Green has justifiably won awards and attracted interest from cities around the world. It is a beautiful corridor of colour which looks good year round. I’m thrilled this success story will now extend into the city’s ancient and historic heart and provide better connectivity to the canal basin and Castlegate itself”.

“By working in partnership we are delivering another world-class scheme which will make this part of the city vibrant once again.”

The original phase of Grey To Green saw the city’s former inner ring road transformed into a green corridor. It is also home to the country’s largest sustainable urban drainage system.

Phase One was designed by a team of Council designers, supported by Professor Nigel Dunnett from the University of Sheffield’s Landscape Department.

Grey To Green has already been voted National Green Champion at the International Green Apple Awards and won the Eric Hughes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Improving Sustainability.

Closer to home, the project also won Best Open Space and overall Outstanding’ project awards at the Sheffield Design Awards in late 2016.

With funding from Sheffield City Region and Sheffield City Council, the project will incorporate colourful meadows, trees and a sustainable drainage system which reduces flooding risk.